RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad, has died at 34, according to TMZ.
TMZ reported that a county official confirmed Mitte died in Texas on Monday, October 12. The outlet reported that he died by suicide, with law enforcement saying an investigation remained ongoing.
Mitte played Walter and Skyler White’s teenage son, also known as Flynn, in the AMC drama. He starred alongside Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn during the series’ run from 2008 to 2013.
Before landing his breakthrough role, Mitte worked as a background actor on Hannah Montana and Everybody Hates Chris.
RJ Mitte’s work extended beyond Breaking Bad
Like his character, Mitte had cerebral palsy, although his condition was milder than Walter Jr.’s. Away from the series, he used his platform to advocate for actors with disabilities and speak out against bullying.
His later screen credits included Switched at Birth, The Oak Room, The Guardians of Justice and Triumph, which he also executive produced.
In 2025, the Disability Rights Legal Center named Mitte its Dream Award recipient, recognizing his advocacy and work challenging barriers in entertainment.
The organization highlighted his roles as president of The Mitte Foundation, an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Hospitals for Children, and a member of SAG-AFTRA’s Performers with Disabilities Committee.
Mitte announced his engagement to Kennedy Suarez in October 2025 after proposing during a fundraising gala benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego.
Bryan Cranston pays tribute to RJ Mitte
In a post on Instagram, Bryan Cranston, who played Mitte’s father, Walter White on Breaking Bad, shared a tribute to the actor.
“I met him when he was only 14 years old when he was cast as Walter White Jr., a part he played with such joy and enthusiasm. Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never – ever – allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination,” Cranston wrote.
“That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007, but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor. He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community.”
Cranston further revealed that he had been talking with RJ just a few weeks before his death and the two were trying to plan a day to meet for lunch.
“I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future… But I do know that I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed… I’ll miss you, son.”
If you or somebody you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can reach out to the Samaritans (116 123) in the United Kingdom, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) in the USA. For a list of worldwide hotlines, click here.
